1

Philadelphia: Jawn

Meaning: used as a placeholder for a noun.

When in Rome, do as the Romans do. When in Philly, be aware that the word jawn can and will be used in every sentence, no matter if the jawn in question is a thing, person, event, or place. If it’s a noun, it can be jawn’ed.

2

New England: Grinder

Meaning: a sub sandwich.

Subs must be one of the most widely known American sandwiches, and rightfully so. Its possibilities when it comes to fillings are seemingly endless, no matter your personal tastes. But you must consider that not every sub is called a sub. If you are passing through New England and fancy a sandwich, looking for a grinder will get you there quicker.

3

Midwest: Schnockered/ Schnookered

Meaning: Schnockered: wasted/ Schnookered: scammed

Is there a connection between excessive alcohol consumption and being easy to deceive? Midwesterners apparently think so, because they use very similar terms for both situations. We tend to agree; nothing good can come from doing business while under the influence.

4

New York: Schlep

Meaning: a difficult task, to carry something with difficulty.

As far as hectic places go, New York seems to be leading the rankings. No wonder they have a dedicated slang repertoire for difficult situations. If you are planning on visiting the Big Apple, take it easy; you will most likely encounter a schlep.

5

Florida: No-see-ums

Meaning: tiny biting midges.

Ah, Florida! The land of cruises, alligators, and invisible attacking bugs. These welcoming critters are known for attacking at dawn and leaving itchy marks that will sting for days. They go by the government name of Ceratopogonidae, but the no-see-ums nickname seems more accurate.

6

Boston: Regular

Meaning: coffee with cream and sugar.

Forget about americanos, lattes, and espressos, a regular is the Boston way to go. Associated with a popular Dunkin’ order, it will come already creamed and sugared. Not advisable for diabetics and lactose intolerants.

7

Puerto Rico: A mi, plín!

Meaning: I don’t care.

Puerto Rican slang can be hard to decipher even if you speak some Spanish, but this makes it even more unique. This phrase —literally translated as ‘to me, plin’— is commonly used to express that something or someone is of no concern to you. What is a ‘plin’? We don’t really know, but to us, plin!

8

Pacific Northwest: The mountain is out

Meaning: there is good weather

Mount Rainier is one of the icons of Seattle and the Pacific Northwest, even though the stormy weather can often make it difficult to admire. On the days when the sky is clear and cloudless, this natural wonder "is out" and can be seen in its entirety. For the locals, the mountain being out has become synonymous with lovely weather and sunny skies.

9

Texas: Fixin’ to

Meaning: about to.

We are including this phrase as Texan slang, but you might hear it from Southerners of other states. What do they use it for? Not to talk about repairs, but to say they are about to do something or getting ready for something. Important: do not confuse it with ‘fixins’, a way to refer to side dishes or condiments.

10

Alaska: Sourdough

Meaning: a long-time resident.

Alaska is filled with natural wonders, but it has always been a tough place to live in, especially during the time of the pioneers. These brave people relied on a few food sources, one of them being sourdough starter to make bread and biscuits. In time, seasoned Alaskans came to be referred to as ‘sourdough’, as a way of honoring their resilience and love for the territory. Opposite to a ‘sourdough’, you can find a ‘cheechako’ or newcomer.

11

Utah: RM

Meaning: someone who returned from their missionary service.

Utah is known for many things, one of them being its high number of Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints members (commonly known as Mormons). Many members of the Church choose to serve as missionaries, an activity that can take them to a different state or even a different country for up to two years. Once they come back, they might be referred to as RM, or ‘returned missionary’.

12

Hawaii: Da kine

Meaning: placeholder for something.

If you are in Hawaii, you might notice locals using this phrase to refer to various things, similar to how other English speakers use ‘whatsit’ as a placeholder. A common phrase in Hawaiian Pidgin, ‘da kine’ can be used for objects, people, places, ideas, and much more.

1

Carl Sagan

Image: Greg Rakozy

Astronomer Carl Sagan showed the wonders of outer space to an entire generation of Americans. Besides his groundbreaking innovations in his field of study, Sagan co-wrote and presented the TV series "Cosmos: A Personal Voyage", on which he tackled heavy questions like the origin of life and humankind’s place in the universe.

What’s most interesting about "Cosmos" is how this short series left such an unforgettable impact , considering the show lasted 13 episodes between 1980 and 1981. A big part of this show’s legacy is thanks to Sagan’s passion: His dedication to outer space made us truly believe we were made of "star stuff".

2

Julia Child

Image: Светлана Хуснутдинова

Even if we didn’t focus on her extraordinary cooking skills , the life of Julia Child would still be a fascinating subject: She served her country during WW2 as a spy and a researcher and helped develop an extremely effective shark-repellant that would have made 60’s Batman proud. Regardless, arguably her most iconic contribution to the world was the many hours of entertainment she recorded, in her effort to teach America the joys of cooking.

Julia Child’s iconic cooking show "The French Chef" debuted in 1962, and ran for ten years throughout the entire nation. Not only that, this show was the very first to win an Emmy award for an educational program.

3

Bill Nye

Image: Hal Gatewood

The title of "Science Guy" might not seem the most glamorous but trust us: Bill Nye is directly responsible for thousands of scientists. You won’t have to look hard to find a scientist who was inspired to pursue a career in science after countless hours watching Bill Nye’s show on PBS as a kid.

Bill Nye's work history isn’t exactly orthodox: After a successful career as a mechanical engineer for Boeing, Nye left this path to pursue comedy. However odd this combination might seem, it made Nye the perfect host for this science show for kids. His on-screen character was a wacky and hyper-kinetic scientist who managed to both entertain and educate an entire generation of American children.

4

Mr. Rogers

Image: Darren Bockman

Franklin D. Roosevelt once said "The whole world is one neighborhood", and we believe that many Americans who grew up watching Fred Rogers will agree: After all, his warm voice and kind demeanor welcomed us to "Mr. Rogers’ Neighborhood" every single day.

This show was groundbreaking in so many ways: Through each thirty-minute episode, Mr. Rogers could educate his audience on various subjects, or spark their imagination over regular trips to the "Neighborhood of Make Believe" . "Mr Rogers’ Neighborhood" held the title of longest-running children's show for almost 40 years, and helped start the careers of such iconic actors as Keith David and Michael Keaton.

5

Walter Cronkite

Image: ThisisEngineering

Any journalist would be proud to be known as "the most trusted man in America" . However, it is a title befitting to only a select few, determined by their integrity, work ethic, and professionalism. Walter Cronkite is no exception to this rule: His 20-year tenure as anchorman for the CBS Evening News earned him a place in journalism history.

Known for his iconic signing-off catchphrase "and that’s the way it is", Cronkite's career earned him a myriad of accolades and recognitions , including the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 1981.

6

Alfred Hitchcock

Image: James Lee

Alfred Hitchcock might be most remembered for his groundbreaking contributions to the world of cinema. To this day he is considered one of the most influential directors in the history of this medium. However, there’s a reason he made it to this list: For almost ten years, Hitchcock hosted his iconic anthology series "Alfred Hitchcock Presents".

The series consisted of single episodes that featured guest actors and directors, including legends like Clint Eastwood, Vincent Price, and Robert Redford. Time magazine included this show in their "100 Best TV Shows of All Time" list.

7

Johnny Carson

Image: Tiziano Brignoli

You know the drill: We say "Johnny Carson was so incredibly funny" and you reply "How funny was he?" To be honest, we didn’t really think about a punchline here, other than the fact that Carson was so funny he remained as the undisputed host of "The Tonight Show" for thirty years.

Filmed in the iconic 30 Rockefeller Plaza building, Carson and his sidekick and announcer Ed McMahon brought uncontrollable laughter to the millions of Americans tuning on to his show on NBC. He is considered by many to be the father of the late-night talk show and inspired many late-night entertainers like Conan O'Brien or Stephen Colbert.

8

Bob Ross

Image: Yannis Papanastasopoulos

Bob Ross taught millions of Americans how to find happiness in a new and extremely demanding hobby. You probably remember his soothing voice and calm manners while hosting his iconic TV show "The Joy of Painting" : He would usually encourage viewers to embrace mistakes while painting, calling them "happy little accidents".

What you might not know is that Bob Ross’ previous job didn’t involve this gentle motivation. Quite the contrary, actually: Ross served for approximately 20 years in the United States Air Force, on which he rose up to the rank of first sergeant . However, once he retired, Ross sought a professional career that didn’t involve yelling orders around terrified trainees.

9

Roy Rogers

Image: JosephHershMedia

Roy Rogers wasn’t known as "The King of Cowboys" for nothing: He was an amazing rodeo performer and one of the most popular Western actors of all time. He is still fondly remembered for his iconic appearances on "The Roy Rogers Show", a Western television series that cemented Rogers as one of the most recognizable actors of the 50s.

Accompanied by his trusted animal sidekicks, Trigger the Horse and Bullet the Dog, Rogers delighted American children with his Western exploits. His character would often face con-men and bank robbers, before departing with his iconic ending theme song, "Happy Trails".

10

Oprah Winfrey

Image: Ioann-Mark Kuznietsov

We’ll end this article with a television giant. There’s a reason why Oprah Winfrey is known as "The Queen of All Media" : She’s an Academy Award-nominated actress, best-selling author, and CEO of a multimedia production company. However, she’s best recognized as the undisputed queen of daytime talk shows, having hosted the iconic Oprah Winfrey Show for 25 years.

Since the end of her series in 2011, Oprah’s mark in American television and pop culture has proved to be completely indelible. Among her many accolades, she was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2013.

1

Coca-Cola vs. Pepsi

One could say that the "Cola Wars" began in the early 1900s, but in all truth, they exploded during the TV ad boom of the 1970s and 1980s . Both brands poured millions into marketing, celebrity endorsements, and taste-test campaigns.

While Pepsi tried to appear youthful and rebellious, Coke leaned on its classic Americana image. Everyone has a favorite. Which one is yours?

Image: Declan Sun

2

McDonald’s vs. Burger King

Since the 1950s, these two massive burger chains have fought to define the American fast-food experience. McDonald’s boasted consistency and golden arches recognized worldwide, while Burger King prided itself on flame-grilled flavor .

Each tried to outdo the other with catchy slogans and mascots. Even today, "Have it your way" and "I’m lovin’ it" can be heard and seen from locations all over the world.

Image: P Kara

3

Hatfields vs. McCoys

In the hills along the border between Kentucky and West Virginia, two families embarked on a bloody feud after the Civil War. What began as a dispute over land and livestock transformed into years of violence and revenge .

The feud became a national symbol of rural grudges and lawlessness. Thankfully, today, descendants have made peace.

Image: Kelly Sikkema

4

Democrats vs. Republicans

Since the 19th century, America’s two main political parties have clashed over nearly everything : economics, social policy, and even the role of government itself. Their competition defines national elections.

Though the issues evolve, the rivalry remains constant. Campaign slogans change, but the fight for America’s political throne never ends.

Image: Zoshua Colah

5

Ford vs. Chevrolet

In garages and racetracks across the country, Ford and Chevy fans have argued for generations . From muscle cars to pickup trucks, their rivalry helped shape the American auto identity.

Each brand claimed better performance, style, or reliability. "Built Ford Tough" and "Like a Rock" became slogans that shaped the automobile industry in America.

Image: Dimitri Karastelev

6

Apple vs. Microsoft

Two tech titans named Steve Jobs and Bill Gates , fought for control of the personal computer revolution for decades. Microsoft’s software dominated offices, while Apple excelled in design and innovation .

Their contrasting visions fueled decades of progress and shaped modern computing. Today, the rivalry continues in phones, tablets, and the cloud.

Image: Sahej Brar

7

Nike vs. Adidas

What began as a sneaker battle grew into a global pop culture competition . Nike’s swoosh symbolized American innovation, while Adidas built on European craftsmanship and sport heritage.

Athletes, rappers, and fashion icons fueled the feud. From basketball courts to runways, the feud is very much alive and well.

Image: Malia Moore

8

Yankees vs. Red Sox

Baseball’s most storied rivalry dates back to 1919, when Boston sold Babe Ruth to New York . The "Curse of the Bambino" haunted Red Sox fans for generations.

Decades of heartbreak and dramatic comebacks ensued, and the fans make sure to keep it that way, at least for the fun of it.

Image: Sudan Ouyang

9

Hamilton vs. Burr

In the early days of the country, Alexander Hamilton and Aaron Burr’s political rivalry turned into personal hatred. Their ideological clashes came to a head in 1804.

They met for a duel in New Jersey, where Hamilton was fatally shot . The tragic encounter became one of early America’s defining stories.

Image: Florian Herzog

10

Elvis Presley vs. The Beatles

When The Beatles first came to America in the 1960s, f ans drew lines between the King of Rock ’n’ Roll and the Fab Four . Each represented a cultural moment and a musical evolution.

Though they met once, their contrasting styles symbolized changing generations, and the fictitious rivalry was fueled by the fans.

Image: Max Kukurudziak

11

Edison vs. Tesla

The famous "War of Currents" placed inventor Thomas Edison’s direct current against Nikola Tesla’s alternating current . Both dreamed of lighting up America, but only one system could win.

Their competition sparked demonstrations, smear campaigns, and innovation. In the end, Tesla’s AC prevailed, but Edison’s legacy lives to this day.

Image: Alex Haney

12

Lakers vs. Celtics

For a long time, the NBA’s biggest rivalry has crossed coasts and generations. The Celtics dominated the early years, while the Lakers reigned in more recent decades.

From Russell vs. Chamberlain to Magic vs. Bird, their clashes created unforgettable moments in basketball history.